Tore Ylwizaker, the keyboardist of Norwegian electronica-experimental collective Ulver, has died aged 54. No cause of death has been given.
His bandmates announced his passing in a social media post yesterday (August 19).
“It is with black holes in our hearts we have to inform you that our brother for over nearly thirty years, Tore Ylvisaker (Ylwizaker), is dead,” they wrote. “He passed on in the night of 16 August, his 54th birthday.”
The statement went on to say: “It is all too much to take in at the moment. We will return as soon as we have collected ourselves. Rest in peace, dearest friend. We love you, forever.”
Ylwizaker joined Ulver in 1997 upon invitation from frontman and founder Kristoffer Rygg. He was enlisted to expand the band’s artistic vision, and his contributions to their 1998 album ‘Themes From William Blake’s The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell’ subsequently saw Ulver transition from their folk and black metal origins to the avant-garde sound that would come to define them.
Alongside his role as keyboard player, Ylwizaker also produced for Ulver, notably working on 2002’s ‘Star Of Ash’s Iter.Viator.’ and ‘When’s You Are Silent’ in 2008. He also produced, recorded and mixed for bands such as Ihsahn, Mayhem, Star Of Ash and Arcturus.
Ylwizaker was the second longest-serving member of Ulver, behind Rygg.
Ulver have sold over half a million records worldwide, and have received three nominations for Spellemannsprisen — the Norwegian Grammy Awards. In 2008, they won Album of the Year at the Oslo Awards for their album ‘Shadows of the Sun’.
With Ulver, Ylwizaker performed at several prestigious music venues, including Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and Teatro Regio di Parma and Labirinto della Masone di Franco Maria Ricci in Italy. They also held an artist residency at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in 2018.
Ylwizaker appeared on Ulver’s recent singles ‘Ghost Entry, A City In The Skies’, ‘Nocturne #1’, ‘Forgive Us’ and ‘Hollywood Babylon’. The songs, which make up the band’s forthcoming 14th studio album, are being released one track at a time.